Mini Pumpkin-Date Bread

Cute little miniature loaves of pumpkin-date bread with chopped dates. Great for gifts. Can also be made into 2 large loaves.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Yields: 11 small loaves

Ingredients

• 2  cups sugar
• 2⁄3 cup  vegetable oil
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 4  eggs
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
• 3  cups all-purpose flour
• 2  teaspoons baking soda
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1  cup  of chopped dates

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease bottom of 11 miniature loaf pans (4 ½ x 2 ¾ x 1 1/3 inches) or two 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pans. Mix sugar, oil, vanilla, eggs, and pumpkin in a large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients except the dates.
3. Divide the batter among the pans.
4. Bake 25 to 30 minutes for the miniature loaves or 50 to 60 minutes for the larger loafs (or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean).
5. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely.
6. For a special touch: before baking, mix 1/3 cup packed brown sugar, 1/3 cup chopped pecans and 1 tablespoon of soften butter until crumbly and sprinkle over loaves.